The Town of Merrillville Planning Board on Tuesday recommended approval of a special exception to allow Island Recovery to operate an inpatient substance-use disorder and mental-health treatment facility at 300 West 89th Avenue.

Megan Stevens, a compliance consultant for petitioner Philip Weiss, told the board the proposed facility would include medically monitored detox care (typically three to seven days) and a clinically managed residential program (approximately 30 days). "We will be, looking to operate both a detox and residential program," Stevens said, adding that clients would be admitted voluntarily and that the facility would be staffed 24 hours a day by medical personnel, including MDs and nurses.

A staff report described the proposal as a SAM 3.7 medically monitored detox and a SAM 3.5 clinically managed residential facility in a C‑5 office and research zoning district on 5.57 acres. Staff said the program is designed to expand access to treatment for Indiana residents, with a focus on individuals who use Medicaid and other publicly funded insurance programs. The report estimated initial employment at about 15–20 workers, expanding toward roughly 40 as client census grows, with a full capacity of approximately 60 clients.

Board members pressed Stevens on operations and funding. Stevens said the facility is privately funded and will pursue credentialing with Medicaid and commercial payers but is "not our initial goal" to rely on state or federal grant funding. She also said the facility plans cameras in common areas and outside for safety while preserving privacy in bedrooms and bathrooms.

After questions and a public-comment period in which no speakers took the podium, a board member moved to approve case Z28E161025 with conditions limiting the use to this petitioner and location; another board member seconded. The recorded roll-call vote showed affirmative votes from Jeff White, Christopher Lemelon, Pete Gibbs, William Byers and Tim Fortier. Planning staff said the board’s approval is a recommendation to the Town Council and outlined next steps for processing the petition.

The board’s recommendation includes conditions tied to the petitioner and site; staff and the petitioner indicated they will follow up by email on outstanding administrative steps. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Council for final action.